EXPO 2009

June 11-13, 2009

in New Orleans

March 13, 2009

Commission Appointed to Move Check-Off Process Forward

The process to develop a commodity check-off program to promote North American forest products took a major step forward with the naming of a 21-member Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC) last week. The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities announced the formation of the panel in a news release. “As a not-for-profit, we are well aware that we cannot achieve our mission of healthy working forests and vibrant forest-reliant rural communities without a healthy and vibrant forest products industry,” said Endowment President and CEO Carlton Owen, who has shepherded the effort to this point.

The commission includes 14 members from the United States and seven from Canada, a balance that reflects the historic geographic source for wood products used in the U.S. market. Jack Jordan, executive vice president of Jordan Lumber & Supply Inc. of Mount Gilead, N.C., will serve as BRC chairman. Vice chairman is Duncan Davies, chairman, vice president and CEO of Canada-based Interfor.

Representatives from eight Southern Pine Council member companies sit on the panel.  They are Adrian Blocker of West Fraser (representing Canada), Aubra Anthony of Anthony Forest Products, Michael E. Case of the Westervelt Company, Patrick Harrigan of Harrigan Lumber Company (SFPA’s current chairman), Shannon Hughes of Weyerhaeuser Company and Mike Rehwinkel of Georgia-Pacific LLC, all from SFPA; and from SLMA, Jack Jordan (BRC chairman) and Hank Scott of Collum’s Lumber Products LLC. Other BRC members are Duncan Davies of Interfor (BRC vice chairman), David Gray of Mill & Timber Products Ltd., David Paterson of AbitibiBowater Inc., James Shepard of Canfor Corporation, Charles Tardiff of Maibec and Al Thorlakson of Tolko Industries Ltd., all representing Canada; and representing the United States, Marc Brinkmeyer of Riley Creek Lumber, George Emmerson of Sierra Pacific Industries, Andrew Miller of Stimson Lumber Company, Dale Riddle of Seneca Sawmill Company, Jim Walsh of Roseboro Lumber and Steve Zeka of Hampton Affiliates.

“A successful check-off program will be a critical tool to help our industry recover and maintain the vitality and growth of the many rural jobs and communities we support,” Jack Jordan said.

2008 SP Shipment Figures Announced

Preliminary figures show Southern Pine shipments finished 2008 at 14.57 Bbf, 13% below the 16.62 Bbf shipped in 2007. The 2008 total is the lowest since 1993 when 14.39 Bbf were shipped for the year. Click here for more details on December and year-end figures.

NAHB’s First ‘Green’ Product Seal Goes to SFPA Member Company

Structural frame products from iLevel, a division of Weyerhaeuser, received the first certificates granted under a “Green Approved” product seal of approval program recently initiated by the NAHB Research Center, a subsidiary of the National Association of Home Builders. The certification mark is intended to provide third-party evidence that building products meet criteria required for homes being certified to NAHB’s National Green Building Standard. iLevel’s full range of engineered wood products and solid sawn lumber are now designated as NAHB “Green Approved” products.  Click here for information about the “Green Approved” program and here for details on how to obtain product certification.

Webinar Addresses Fire Protection for Wood-Frame Structures

WoodWorks, an initiative of the Wood Products Council, will host a free webinar for architects and engineers on fire protection for wood-frame structures. The one-hour webinar is scheduled for 8 a.m. CT on March 23 and will cover the basic principles of fire protection as well as techniques that enable wood to meet all required safety codes. The webinar will include examples of wood fire assemblies such as I-Joists, plated floor trusses and solid sawn timber.  The session – titled Fire Protection II: Basic Principles for Wood Frame Structures” – is the second in a series on that topic. Although it is not necessary for participants to have attended the first session, “Fire Protection I” is available at www.woodworks.org under “Publications and Resources/Presentations.”  The sessions are part of a new program of monthly webinars focused on the use of wood in nonresidential applications. Visit WoodWorks’ Web site to register for the upcoming webinar and learn more about the program.

Former Member Dies

Former SFPA member M.L. Sandy Sr. of Clinton, Miss., died Feb. 1 at the age of 92. M.L. started his career in the lumber industry at Corinth Lumber Mill. He later purchased the mill, which became Corinth Planing Mill Co., and in 1957, founded M.L. Sandy Lumber Sales Co. In addition to SFPA, M.L. was active in the North American Wholesale Lumber Association (NAWLA), Mississippi Lumber Manufacturers Association, Tennessee Lumber Dealers Association and Hoo-Hoo International. He retired from the business a couple of years ago. Please join SFPA in offering condolences to the Sandy family.

PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION  

mechanical means, without written authorization from SFPA is prohibited.